‘This can’t work anymore’: Sue Devaney addresses huge Debbie Coronation Street change

| Freelance Soaps Reporter Published November 6, 2026 10:08am Updated November 6, 2026 10:08am Debbie’s about to make an enormous decision (Picture: Danielle Baguley/ITV) Debbie Webster’s dementia journey in Coronation Street has taken viewers through every conceivable emotion. Sue Devaney’s performance has been nothing short of spellbinding, as she’s displayed the ravaging effects of the cruel disease while still maintaining Debbie’s trademark heart and razor-sharp sense of humour, ensuring every facet of condition is show to the audience. It’s been largely told without sensationalism too – besides her brief stint in the clink for a car pile up she didn’t cause – and stood out as what Coronation Street, and soap as a whole, can deliver when it’s at its best. Debbie’s about to navigate another enormous change as her symptoms continue to intensify: walking away from her beloved Chariot Square hotel. As her dementia has progressed, she’s found running the place ever more challenging, despite the support she’s received from husband Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan), loyal right hand man Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) and – eventually – her son, Carl (Jonathan Howard). Next week sees her finally decide to step back from running the business, signing it over to Ronnie and ensuring that Ryan continues to support him in the same way he always has her. Debbie’s mistake with Paula and Adam was the final straw (Picture: Danielle Baguley/ITV) ‘Everybody is telling her, saying this can’t work anymore – it was a massive thing when she gave the key to Paula [(Kelli Hollis)], and Adam [Barlow’s (Sam Robertson)] ring went missing – I think she thought, ‘I can’t do this’, she probably should have stopped a good few months ago, but nobody wants to tell Debbie, do they?’ Sue told Inside Soap. ‘But what’s nice is they’ve let Debbie decide that she’s ready now, she sits Ryan down and says she’d like him to be Ronnie’s right-hand man, and she’s signing everything over to Ronnie, but when you’re married to somebody and you sign everything over, you still feel like it’s yours. As for how else the decision to step down will affect Debbie, Sue admitted: ‘There’s a definite change now in what she’s wearing, because she’s not at the hotel and I think there’s going to be times soon when you don’t see her with much make-up, because she can’t do it like she used to.’ Debbie will be handing the hotel to her beloved husband, Ronnie (Picture: ITV) Debbie has asked Ryan to remain as Ronnie’s right hand man (Picture: Danielle Baguley/ITV) Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Actor Jonathan Howard has all but confirmed that this Christmas will be Debbie’s last, setting the stage for a bittersweet festive period for her loved ones. Speaking to The Sun, he said: ‘Sue is contracted to August, but already they are ramping up the dementia storyline – it’s going to be very sad, so sad – I love Sue so much, I’m so happy she gets to play my mum and I get to play her son. ‘It’s going to be really emotional because since I started, she’s always held my hand and been there for me, so knowing that at some point, it’s still a year down the line, it’s going to come to an end, it’s so sad. ‘We’ve just got the latest scripts for the Christmas storyline. Carl is turning 40 just before Christmas and I think everyone is aware that it’s potentially Debbie’s last Christmas – you don’t know how long with dementia someone’s going to survive, but there is a feeling this is the last Christmas that she is herself.’ Debbie’s last Christmas is coming (Picture: Danielle Baguley/ITV) Debbie has truly become one of the most beloved Weatherfield matriarchs of all time, something Sue said she was truly delighted to learn: ‘I felt so overjoyed as it meant that I’d been doing something right ‘I’ve put all my mums-isms into Debbie and all of her unique sayings so that has been so special to see people go, ‘oh we love that Northern Debbie.’ We do love that Northern Debbie, and we’re all going to be devastated when we no longer have her. Deals of the Day Cold mornings are coming and this is the dressing gown I want to live in We're adding this discounted NEOM gift set straight to basket Want an LED face mask for less? This Black Friday deal could save you hundreds This teeth whitening sale could save you up to 64% before Black Friday These Simba Black Friday deals are too good for tired shoppers to ignore Arrow MORE: Coronation Street’s Debbie makes a game changing decision about her future Arrow MORE: All new Coronation Street spoilers for next week reveal how Debbie’s Angels prompt a huge decision Arrow MORE: Lives of Coronation Street icons change forever in a day like no other The Soaps Newsletter – Weekly Sign up for exclusive spoilers and interviews, handpicked by our Soaps Editor.